The new and bigger Alberta cabinet announced by Premier Rachel Notley on Tuesday is such an NDP operation that it’s almost a parody.

But in a really good way.

The new line-up is not only gender balanced (10 women and nine men) but includes, as news reports keep pointing out, “Alberta’s first openly gay cabinet minister.” And, in that vein, two openly pregnant women.

The new 19-person Notley cabinet — an increase of six members — is arguably the most diverse, most representative, and most reflective of Alberta.

That’s because Notley could choose from the most diverse government caucus in Alberta’s history because of last year’s unexpected election victory that catapulted a cross-section of surprised NDP candidates into power.

Ricardo Miranda was one of them. The former union organizer and flight attendant spent just $6,000 on his campaign in Calgary-Cross to defeat the PC’s star candidate, former Calgary police chief Rick Hanson, who spent $87,000.

Miranda is now minister of culture and tourism, a portfolio he takes from David Eggen, who remains as minister of education.

“I know that’s historic, I guess, in some ways, but to me, it’s just a reflection of how far we’ve come in this province,” said Miranda who will have to get used to being labelled Alberta’s “first openly gay cabinet minister” for a while. Not that that’s why he’s in cabinet. But that’s why reporters culled him from the herd on Tuesday looking for a human-interest story in what is usually a turgid, government process story.

By elevating two pregnant women to the high-pressure world of a political cabinet, Notley is laudably putting her NDP principles where her mouth is

As Miranda pointed out, he is a symbol of Alberta’s evolution: “It’s good and I think it’s a reflection of the province and how it’s changed.”

Notley’s decision to expand cabinet to 19 members was no surprise. We’ve been expecting this since she unveiled her tiny 12-member cabinet last May. She added one minister in October, but cabinet — far smaller than any in Alberta for decades — was swamped with work. Notley just wanted time to see which of her untried MLAs was ready for the big time.

Now we know. Nobody was demoted from cabinet. Those promoted include: Richard Feehan (indigenous relations), Christina Gray (labour and democratic renewal) and Marlin Schmidt (advanced education) — all from Edmonton.

Then we have two other MLAs with human-interest stories that also show how much the province has changed under an NDP government.

Stephanie McLean and Brandy Payne, both from Calgary, have been promoted to cabinet, McLean as minister of service Alberta and minister of status of women, and Payne as association minister of health.

Both are pregnant. McLean is expecting her first child this weekend and Payne is expecting her second in July.

McLean will be the first serving MLA to give birth while in office. Given the fast-impending nature of her happy day, let’s hope that doesn’t happen literally.

By elevating two pregnant women to the high-pressure world of a political cabinet, Notley is laudably putting her NDP principles where her mouth is.

“We are going to accommodate that and ensure that we are a place where women can engage fully in the opportunities for leadership that all Albertans want and need to see them adopt,” said Notley, who has long argued we need a more understanding atmosphere to attract women to politics.

Even though Notley said she hopes McLean will be back at work “as soon as possible,” the premier is cutting the new mom and minister some slack, saying McLean’s cabinet responsibilities will be picked up by her colleagues for as long as necessary.

McLean, speaking with the glorious confidence of a first-time parent before actually being a parent, said she envisions “being in the hospital shortly after giving birth, on a conference call” to work.

“The job of an MLA or a minister, it’s the kind of thing that you’re always on deck. If you’re sleeping, you’re still the minister,” said McLean who, as any parent of a newborn baby knows, will never sleep again.